ServiceMaster spokesperson Gina Kamler said: "We are proud that our company has performed well under some of the toughest economic challenges in decades, but we recognize that we must have plans in place to continue building on the strong market-leading positions of each of our brands over the next few years."

ServiceMaster is providing severance and outplacement support to the displaced employees and have been assured they will get no fewer than 60 days’ notice before their jobs are cut, the story noted.

The layoffs stem from the decision of ServiceMaster to outsource some of its information technology services to IBM, the story added.